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Why Turtles?

Found around the world in rivers, deserts, jungles, and our own backyards, it’s easy to assume tortoises and freshwater turtles will always be here. But the very traits that once helped them survive render them vulnerable to extinction today.
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Protecting the world’s most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles

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To save turtles, we all play a role. Every day, tortoises and freshwater turtles around the globe face pressing threats. Your support equips us to support species where and how they need us most.

Turtles are ancient and remarkable creatures who deserve a champion. When you stand with us, you help ensure their continued survival. Together, we can create a world with zero turtle extinctions.

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Sacalia quadriocellata

Four-eyed Turtle

Habitat:

Hill streams and brooks in tropical and subtropical evergreen forests

Threats:

– Habitat destruction, degradation, and alteration
– Intense collection for the pet trade

Wild Population:

– Decreasing
– Estimated population reduction greater than 90%
– Majority now reside in protected areas

Conservation Efforts:

– Captive breeding
– Reintroduction projects
– Field Surveys
– Protected in the wild in China
– Trade highly restricted and regulated in Vietnam
– CITES Appendix II

Endangered Status:

Critically Endangered

Species Snapshot

Fast Facts

Four-eyed Turtles are named for the four, distinct, eye-spots or ocelli on the top of the head. Each ocellus has a distinct black spot or “pupil”, in the center. These ocelli range in color including yellows, greens, and blues. Size, color, and pattern of the ocelli are very much linked to sexual dimorphism and age class. Yellow ocelli are most often seen in hatchling, juvenile, and female turtles. It is hypothesized that the eyespots may serve multiple purposes including defense against predators in the form of mimicry, and/or they can be for used for communication/courtship!

S S S

Very little information has been documented about this shy species. Four-eyed Turtles are a secretive animal, with primary activity closely associated with dawn, dusk, and nocturnal hours. They are not a highly-active species, spending much of their time in a resting state in their shallow-water habitats. They are omnivorous, feeding on annelid worms, crustaceans, fish, fruit, insects, and mollusks. 

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